Act of kindness #7: Easter Goodie Bags

Being kind by giving away Kindness Goodie Bags filled with all things Easter:

Making up and giving out Kindness Goodie Bags has become one of my favourite acts of kindness.

I relish deciding what to put in them, and then shopping for the goodies.

I enjoy getting lost in the creativity of designing the message which explains what the bag is all about, and writing the messages on my Kindness Cards.

IMG_2060.jpg

I savour the anticipation of putting them together, and take great pleasure in the mindful act of making them up, carefully deciding where each piece should go.

And I get such a thrill when I can tie the bags up, knowing that they’re all ready to go.

I carefully plot my location and timing, considering where I’m going to give them away, how I’m going to do it, and when is the best time.

And then there’s the actual giving out part. I feel giddy with excitement as I go from car to car, carefully placing the bags onto the windscreens.

It makes me feel really happy to imagine how the owners will get a nice surprise when they return to their car and find my Kindness Goodie Bag waiting for them.

The whole process gives me such joy, and again, I can personally vouch for how the giver benefits as much as the receiver.

Of course, the icing on the cake is hearing from someone who’s found one of my Kindness Goodie Bags, but that’s not why I do it and I don’t expect to hear from them: it’s simply a lovely bonus.

As I really enjoyed making up and giving away my Christmas and Valentine’s Goodie Bags, I wanted to do an Easter Goodie Bag.

As the Easter theme of bunnies and chicks, and the yellows and greens and bright Easter colours is so much fun, I wanted my goodie bags to reflect that.

So, in each bag I’ve popped: a mini creme egg, two mini chocolate eggs; two sweet chews; a teeny fluffy Easter chick and Easter Bunny; a party popper; bright coloured feathers; fun stickers; a message explaining this is a Random Act of Easter Kindness, and one of my Kindness Cards with a ‘You Are AMAZING’ message on the back.

IMG_3308.jpg

IMG_3216

I’m on unfamiliar territory as I’m currently visiting the beautiful spa town of Bath. So I decided to pop most of my Easter Kindness Goodie Bags onto the windscreens of the cars parked in a small city centre car park and the rest I dotted around randomly.

I’m hoping the owners will return to their cars after a busy Easter shopping trip or a relaxed Good Friday brunch and find my Easter surprise waiting for them.

Here’s how I spread a little kindness around Bath this fine sunny Good Friday morning: 

Easter Kindness Goodie Bags 1-7: I lay on car windscreens in a small city centre car park

IMG_3385.jpg

Easter Kindness Goodie Bag 8: I popped in the basket of a bike, just for fun

IMG_3387.jpg

Easter Kindness Goodie Bags 9+10: I gave to the two very helpful staff at T2 who kindly helped me find my favourite tea I used to drink in Australia. I couldn’t remember the name and with an abundance of Chai teas to choose from, we whittled it down to two and they brewed me a cup of each. Now that’s what I call fantastic customer service

photo 2.JPG

Easter Kindness Goodie Bag 11: I tucked this into the door handle of the coolest car parked  along Royal Avenue in Victoria Park

photo(2).JPG
Easter Kindness Goodie Bag 12: As I’m staying in my friend’s flat while she’s on holiday I’ve put one on her dressing table, so she’ll see it when she arrives home.

IMG_3367.JPG

ps if you have received one of my Easter Kindness Goodie Bags, I’d really LOVE to hear from you in the comments below. If you’d prefer me not to publish your comment on the blog, please let me know.

More days of happy: Spa heaven

Being grateful to bathe in Britain’s only natural thermal springs:

My ultimate unwind and relax activity is going to a spa.

I’ve loved them ever since I visited an upmarket health spa in my twenties: walking around in robes and slippers, lounging on huge comfy sofas reading an unputdownable book, flitting between steam rooms and saunas, and of course sinking into a hot bubbling jacuzzi.

I was hooked.

And living in spa-friendly Germany for a couple of years sealed the deal. The spas are much more accessible and very, very eye-opening if you know what I mean, but that’s another story!

So when I knew I was going to the beautiful spa town on Bath, I was excited to finally be able to visit the infamous Roman Baths. And when I discovered I could actually experience the natural hot springs for myself, I knew this was a not-to-be-missed opportunity.

After a fascinating tour of the Roman Baths, I headed to the Thermal Bath Spa for my two hour session – a very welcome early birthday gift from my folks. I received a towel and a robe, and a pair of slippers which I get to keep, woohoo!

After changing, I headed straight up to the rooftop pool.

thermae bath spa2

As I descended the steps into the natural heated (33.5°C/92°F) silky water, enjoying the gorgeous contrast from the crisp March air, I breathed a heavenly sigh of relief: you know, the one you make when sinking into a hot bath.

Oh my, such bliss.

As I relaxed by the edge of the pool, I couldn’t help but marvel that I was lying in water that had fallen as rain around 10,000 years ago and sank to a depth of around 2km before rising back up.

And how incredible that I was here enjoying the same natural thermal waters that the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago.

The water is well known for its health and healing properties, and as I let my body absorb the 42+ different minerals and trace elements, I imagined how over one million litres of this mineral magic flows from the springs every single day.

After a while, I spotted bubbling over the other side of the pool and headed over to enjoy the jacuzzi-like experience. I even found an underwater seat to relax onto and enjoy the bliss.

I’d found my happy place.

Gazing out over the honey-toned stone of Bath, the chimneyed rooftops, church spires and tower of the Abbey, to the surrounding tree-lined hills, I felt completely at ease and blissfully happy.

What could be better than this?

After a while, I headed down to the Aroma Steam Rooms, four circular glass pods each offering a different aromatic scent: sandalwood, lemongrass and ginger, lotus flower and mint. I followed this with a very quick splash from a very cold shower and it was back up to the rooftop.

I alternated between the rooftop pool and steam rooms for my two hour visit, and left feeling dreamily relaxed; floating on cloud nine for the rest of the day.

Act of kindness #6: Listening to my body

Being kind to my body by taking the rest I need:

With having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I have to rest a lot. Well, most of the time actually. And as much as I’ve made my bedroom my sanctuary which I love, I need a change of scenery now and again.

When a friend very kindly offered me her flat to stay in while she went on holiday, I jumped at the chance. I carefully planned my journey down and thankfully felt well enough to travel last Thursday.

This is my first visit to Bath and I’m excited about exploring this beautiful spa town. And being mindful of my health limitations, I know I can’t see and do as much as I’d like, but there’s a couple of gentle activities that I can hopefully enjoy.

I arrived a couple of days before my friend left so we could spend a little time together. The idea was that while she was out at work all day, I would rest and then we’d hang out when she got home.

But I arrived to find her still recovering from a recent bout of flu and she was still feeling pretty unwell. Poor thing.

As I have a compromised immune system due to the CFS, I tend to get cold/flu symptoms ten-fold and feel even more wiped than normal and for much longer too.

So I have to try and not contact viruses by avoiding contact with people who have a cold or the flu, the expression to avoid them like the plague is very apt for me!

We joked about setting up a convalescence home, and while my friend rested in bed, I rested on the sofa, and we met up at mealtimes to share empathy and sympathy.

This morning, the day after my friend left for her holiday, I’ve woken up with nausea, a slight headache, and am feeling drained; I’m really hoping it’s not the onset of the flu.

My plans for today were to have a gentle walk to see the nearby Royal Crescent and enjoy a soul stroll around the nearby park.

But despite desperately wanting to ignore my symptoms and stick to my plans, I am choosing to be kind to myself by listening to my body and honouring what I know it needs: complete rest.

Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow and will feel enough to explore a little, but if I don’t, I won’t.

And that’s ok.

 

Day 7: A heavenly soak

Being grateful for my Epsom salt baths:

I never used to be a bath girl. It’s always been showers all the way.

That is until I tried an Epsom salt bath about 18 months ago.

And I haven’t looked back.

Now I love nothing more than a long soak in a hot bath: it’s absolute bliss.

They’ve become an essential part of my recovery tool kit and I take 3-4 baths a week, sometimes more if I feel I need to.

Made from a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate, the health benefits of adding a  couple of cups of Epsom salts are too numerous to mention here, but my favourites are: helping to ease stress and relax the body, relieving sore muscles, and eliminating toxins from the body.

For me, they help soothe my body, mind and spirit. I find it one of THE best ways to relax.

I usually take myself off for a long yummy soak after dinner. I even find myself craving one if I’ve had a busy or stressful day, or am feeling extra fatigued.

From the moment I turn on the taps, my worries start to evaporate, and it’s guaranteed I let out a blissful sigh as soon as I sink into the hot steamy bath of goodness.

My recipe for creating the ultimate relaxing bath experience:
1. lock the bathroom door so I’m not disturbed
2. add 2 cups of Epsom salts to a running bath
3. add a tbsp of Coconut Oil to soften the skin
4. add 15-20 drops of Lavender Essential Oil or my own relaxing oil blend
5. light a few candles & pop on some gentle, relaxing music
6. lie back, enjoy and soak for at least 20 mins, maximum 40 mins

I’ve come to love my baths so much, I can’t imagine living anywhere that doesn’t have a bath. It’s one of the things I miss when I’m away.

So with that in mind, my happy today is being grateful for my yummy Epsom salt bath.